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Community Engagement Specialist

Charleston, West Virginia•Full-time
$16.25+ hourly
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About the Job
The Community Engagement Specialist is a full-time position that under the direction of the Program and Assistant Directors will work with clients to promote social and emotional wellbeing, prevention approaches, person-centered interventions and self-directed and/or recovery driven support services. To decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization.
 
Education and Experience Required:
  • Bachelor’s Degree and one year experience in human service, social work, or counseling field. Experience may be substituted for degree requirement depending on relevancy to the position.
Additional Requisites:
  • Knowledge, experience, and understanding of the homeless population with mental illness, substance  abuse, or co-occurring disorder.
  • Ability to work with a diverse population from all backgrounds in a non-judgmental manner and sensitivity to the problem of homelessness.
  • Ability to interact constructively and work in harmony with diverse community interests.
  • General knowledge of community services and referral process to various government and/or community programs.
  • General knowledge of social work skills and techniques.
  • General knowledge and understanding of DHHR Homeless policy and HUD Tool Box on persons experiencing mental health, substance abuse, and/or homelessness to provide quality services to clients to decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization(s) Must pass a criminal background check.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Be committed to and follow the YWCA of Charleston Employee Handbook as well as the Rules, Procedures, and Protocols governing the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter Program including, but not limited to, maintenance of professional boundaries with the clients and residents.
  • Ability to work with people of all backgrounds and sensitivity to the problems of mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring or existing disorder(s).
  • Develop a network of community resources with key stakeholders in order to share and gain knowledge of available resources, identify gaps, and promote the development of resources.
  • Facilitate  successful transitions for individuals between psychiatric hospitals and communities.
  • Ensure, through supportive and preventative services, that at-risk individuals can live securely in the community of their choice.
  • Perform an assessment to determine coping capabilities, potential support systems, and areas of needs.
  • Ensure, through intensive follow-up and support, that individuals discharged from in-patient psychiatric hospitals are surrounded by community resources that will strengthen their recovery.
  • Provide face-to-face contact within 3 days of discharge from psychiatric hospitalization in order to assure that basic and personal needs are available or met.
  • Advocate and provide as much  support as needed and deemed appropriate  to ensure quality service delivery.
  • Communicate with Team Members, Assistant Director, and Program Director on the progress of assigned participants.
  • Provide outreach in local communities served to promote the Community Engagement Program.
  • Maintain a completed checklist of required activities in each case file and participate in bi-weekly case review.
  • Maintain necessary data, accurate up-to-date records, and participants’ progress, and provide reports according to Program Director/grant requirements.
  • Represent Community Engagement Program at public events, and committees and attend assigned training.
  • Meet  with assigned participants once a week and more if needed to assess the progress of their service plan.
  • Coordination of transportation as needed and deemed appropriate.
  • CES will meet with Assistant Director/Program Director on transfers and discharges from programs.
  • Provide after-hours and nontraditional hours of availability to meet the individual needs of those served Assist Sojourner’s staff in times of emergencies.
  • Other duties, as assigned.
Physical Demands/Working Environment:
Regularly required to:
  • Speak, hear and listen; verbally express ideas, information, & instructions.
  • Stand/walk for long periods of time.
  • Remain seated in a normal position for a minimum of two hours.
  • Have the ability to work around moderate noise.
  • Climb stairs.
  • Lift, pull, push, carry up to ten (10) poundd.
Occasionally required to:
  • Lift, pull, push, carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds with assistance.
  • Be exposed to others that may have cuts or open wounds
Rarely required to:
  • Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Be exposed to possibly hazardous airborne materials.
  • Use safety precautions when working with electrical equipment.
About YWCA Charleston
The YWCA Charleston has been fostering self-sufficiency and independence. Originally designed as safe lodging for young women from rural communities coming to Charleston to pursue careers, the YWCA has evolved into the city’s most diverse and comprehensive network of social service programs. YWCA programs, facilities, and services assist more than 5,000 individuals annually.

Equal opportunity is given to all applicants.

The YWCA was built upon our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. We can continue to be successful when people are treated fairly and allowed to grow and achieve their potential. We take pride in treating people equally, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, blindness, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status.
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